By Jon Chown
Local leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of Treasure Cove, Capitola’s first universally accessible playground, on Oct. 28.
Treasure Cove will feature a marine and shoreline theme with specialized equipment, including a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, cozy domes, sensory play structures and climbing zones, ensuring children of all ages and abilities can play together side by side.
The project was made possible through a partnership between the City of Capitola and County Park Friends, which led an 18-month capital campaign that raised more than $1 million in private donations.
Contributions came from individual community members, service organizations, foundations and local businesses through a wide variety of creative fundraisers.
“Over 1,500 donors contributed to Treasure Cove. Their generosity has brought us to this moment,” said lead community fundraising volunteer Dan Haifley.
“It’s a great project,” said Mayor Joe Clarke. “Treasure Cove represents the very best of Capitola.”
The City of Capitola provided $475,000 in initial funding for outreach and design; additional funding came from a $3.2 million Community Development Block Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Together, these resources not only fully funded Treasure Cove Playground but also enabled the city to invest in broader improvements at Jade Street Park, including new restrooms, improved pedestrian access and enhanced connections to the Jade Street Community Center.
“What I’ve realized is that when you have playgrounds that are inclusive, it means a lot to the parents and a lot to the children who then can be a part of something that is foundational for what we stand for,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). “It gives you that sense of belonging.”
The Capitola City Council awarded construction contracts for Jade Street Park, the Treasure Cove Playground and the renovation of the bathrooms at the park at its Oct. 23 meeting.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta remarks on the importance of the playground with Capitola Mayor Joe Clark beside him. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Treasure Cove on Oct. 28.
The council voted to award the $2.4 million Treasure Cove Playground project to SSB Construction Inc. and the $484,000 Jade Street Park Restroom Renovation Project to CWS Construction Group Inc.
The approvals followed the council’s [June 2024] decision to finalize construction plans for the playground, restroom and community center patio improvements and to advertise the projects for bids.
Bids for the playground were opened Aug. 21. Of the four bids received, two were ruled nonresponsive because of incomplete or inconsistent CDBG documentation. SSB Construction Inc. was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder at $2,446,238.
The restroom renovation was bid in September, with bids opened Oct. 14. All three were responsive and met CDBG requirements, with CWS Construction Group Inc. submitting the lowest responsive and responsible bid at $484,000.
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TOP PHOTO courtesy of the City of Capitola